Blower for stoves or grates



0. J. BACKUS.

BLOWER PoR sTovBs .0R MATHS.

Patented Deo. 6, 1887.

f D, as may be desired.

UNITED STATES P.e.Ti;iiT`` OFFICE.

OSCAR J. BACKUS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. A

BLOWER FOR STOVES OR GRATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 374,334, dated December6, 1887.

Application ined July i4, i887. seriar No. 214,349. (No modem 'T0 all,whom it 11mg/ concern: Y

Be it known that I, OSCAR J. BAcKUs, of the city and county of SanFrancisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Blowersfor Stoves or- Grates; and I hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the saine.

My invention relates to an improved adjustable blower for stoves orgrates; and it consists in the improved blower hereinafter described andclaimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanationof my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the applicationof my blower to an open-front stove or grate. Fig. 2 is a transversevertical section. Fig. 3 is a separate View of the plate. Fig. 4 is aview of one of the guides with the ratchet-teeth or supports.

In the present case I have shown my invention as applied to anopen-front stove or grate.

B is the movable front or blowen so called, by which the open front isclosed when it is desired to induce a strong draft through the ash-pitand up through the grate upon which the fuel is placed. This blower orplate travels in a channel, C, between guides upon each side,suiiiciently separated to hold the edges of this plate B, and yet havinga width between the guides which will allow the plate to move freely upand down in the channel. Upon the forward edge of each of the guides area series of projections or steps, D, and the lower edge of the blower isprovidedl with outwardlyprojecting lugs, or is bent outwardly, as shownat E, so that these projections E may be allowed to rest upon any one ofthe steps The lower parts of the channels C are curved outwardly, asshown at F, so that when the blower or plate B is at its lowest pointthe projections E follow these curves, and this throws the front of theblower against the front edges of the guides, thus holding it closelyand making a tight joint at these edges.

The operation will then be as follows: When the blower is in use, itwill be drawn to the lowest point, as just described, the channel Cbeing of sufficient width to allow the lugs E to travel up and downwithout resting on the,

steps or lugs D, unless desired. Vhenever it is desired to raise theblower any distance, it is simply pushed up and the lower edge drawnforward sufficiently for the projections E to rest upon the steps D. Bythis construction a blower may be supported upon any pair of the steps,and at any desired height from the bottom, or it may be pushed upentirely out of the way, thus leaving the front of the fire entirelyexposed and clear.

I am aware that vertically-sliding blowers have been employed usingcounter-weights; and I am also aware that similarly-moving blowers havebeen employed in which springs were used to hold them at any desiredclevation; but the heat of the tire takes the temper out of a spring andmakes it very undesirable, and counter-weights are liable to break thecords and get out of order.`

My device is simple, economical, and durable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

In combination with an open-front stove or grate, the vertically-movingslide orlplate by which said opening may be closed, said plate havingoutwardly-projecting lugs on its lower edge, guides or channels withinwhich the edges of the plate travel, and steps or projections upon whichsaid lugs may be supported when desired, said guides or channels beingcurved outwardly at tli'e bottom, so as to throw the lower edge of theblower toward the front when it is at its lowest point, substantially asherein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

OSCAR J. BACKUS. Vitnesses:

WM. A. TAYLOR, L. M. KnLLoGG.

